PM Modi in his Independence Day speech from Red Fort
On August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism that the situation in violence-stricken Bangladesh would soon return to normalcy.
“As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh,” Modi said during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort. He added, “I hope that the situation there gets normal at the earliest,” emphasising the 140 crore people of India are concerned about the “safety of Hindus and minorities” in Bangladesh.
Modi also reiterated India’s commitment to peace, stating, “India always wants our neighbouring countries to walk the path of prosperity and peace. We are committed to peace… In the days to come, we will continue to wish well for Bangladesh in its ‘Vikas Yatra’ because we think about the welfare of humankind.”
Since June, Bangladesh has faced severe unrest following protests over government job quotas, which escalated into anti-government demonstrations. The violence, which intensified after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and subsequent escape to India, has resulted in numerous attacks on Hindus. Mobs have vandalised properties, looted businesses, and committed violent acts, including lynching. Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, now heading the interim government, has urged for the safety of minorities.
During the chaos that began on August 5, over 1000 targeted attacks on Hindus were reported, with five killed and several cases of sexual assault. The violence is notably severe, with law enforcement absent for days and police personnel being lynched, providing a free hand to those targeting Hindus.
Anupam Debashis Roy, a Bangladeshi author and activist, noted, “Communal sentiments have always been present in Bangladesh. There are people who look for an opportunity to attack minorities, especially Hindus. Even during the Awami League regime, there were attacks on Hindus.”
The unrest traces back to a 2018 anti-quota movement. The Bangladeshi High Court’s June 2024 decision to reinstate 30 per cent reservation for freedom fighters’ descendants triggered nationwide protests, which intensified following the Supreme Court’s upholding of the decision. These protests, initially student-driven, were co-opted by opposition groups like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), leading to increased violence against Hindus.
Despite efforts by the Supreme Court to ease tensions by annulling the quota ruling, the protests, fueled by opposition groups, have continued, with accusations that BNP and JeI members are actively involved in anti-Hindu violence and targeting Hindu properties.
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